Molding apparatus

ABSTRACT

An in-mold shutter ( 140 ) for embedding in an injection mold ( 100, 200, 300 ) is described herein. The in-mold shutter ( 140, 240, 340, 440, 540 ) includes a shutter actuator ( 148, 548 ) that is configured to selectively engage a first mold shoe ( 130 ) of the injection mold ( 100, 200, 300 ) with a platen of a mold clamping assembly ( 996 ) to hold the first mold shoe ( 130 ) in an extended position (E), along a mold-stroke axis (X), during a step of molding a first molded article ( 102 A) in the injection mold ( 100, 200, 300 ). Also described herein is a molded article transfer device ( 150, 250 ) for use with the injection mold ( 100, 200, 300 ). The molded article transfer device ( 150, 250 ) includes a shuttle ( 154 ) that is slidably arranged, in use, within the injection mold ( 100, 200, 300 ). The shuttle ( 154 ) defines a first aperture ( 156 A), at least in part, that alternately accommodates: (i) a first mold stack ( 106 A,  206 A,  306 A) arranged therein; and (ii) a first molded article ( 102 A) received therein with opening of the first mold stack ( 106 A,  206 A,  306 A).

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application is a divisional of U.S. patent application Ser. No.13/202,799 filed Aug. 23, 2011, which is a U.S. National Stage entry ofPCT/CA2010-001799, filed 17 Nov. 2010, which claims priority from U.S.Provisional patent applications 61/264,881 and 61/264,883 both filed 30Nov. 2009, the disclosures of which are incorporated herein by referencethereto.

TECHNICAL FIELD

The non-limiting embodiments disclosed herein generally relate to amolding apparatus, and more particularly to an in-mold shutter and amolded article transfer device for use with an injection mold, and acontroller with which to execute related molding processes.

BACKGROUND

U.S. Pat. No. 7,351,050 to Vanderploeg et al., published on Apr. 1, 2008teaches a servo side shuttle apparatus and method for a molding machineincludes structure and/or steps whereby a shuttle plate is disposedadjacent at least one of a first mold half and a second mold half of themolding machine. A guidance assembly is coupled to the mold half andguides the shuttle plate linearly across a molding face of the moldhalf. A drive mechanism is provided to drive the shuttle plate in alinear direction. An operation structure is coupled to the shuttle plateand is configured to perform an operation on a molded article disposedeither in the mold cavity or on the mold core. The operation may includeremoving the molded article from a mold core, applying a label to a moldcavity, and/or closing the lid of a molded article while it is residenton the mold core.

U.S. Pat. No. 5,037,597 to McGinley et al., published on Aug. 6, 1991teaches an injection molding apparatus and process for forming aplurality of first parts and a plurality of complementary second partsduring a single molding cycle has a system for removing parts moldedduring each cycle and for assembling the parts into finished articles.The system includes a plurality of rotatable suction cups for removingthe parts and for aligning them with and inserting them into a series ofloading ports in a central mold member so as to mate respective ones ofthe first parts with respective ones of the second parts. The centralmold member further has internal chute assemblies for conveyingassembled articles away from the mold. A novel system for driving therotatable suction cups uses a rotatable member mounted to various moldhalves and a camming arrangement whereby relative movement of the moldhalves during the mold closing and opening motions causes rotation ofthe suction cups.

U.S. Pat. No. 4,589,840 to Schad, published on May 20, 1986 teaches anapparatus for continuously receiving and collecting molded articles froma continuously cycling injection molding machine where the articles arecollected sequentially and continuously in a uniform physical positionor orientation.

U.S. Pat. No. 6,939,504 to Homann et al., published on Sep. 6, 2005teaches a method and system for producing hollow rib structures for trimcomponents and panels using gas assisted injection molding. Movableinsert members are provided in the mold cavity, particularly at the endsof the structural rib members. After the plastic material is injectedinto the mold cavity, the plastic is packed in the mold, and the insertmembers are locked in position. Selectively activatable lockingmechanisms are used to lock up the insert members. Thereafter, gas oranother fluid is introduced into the rib members in order to providehollow channels therein. Movement of the insert members provides arecess or groove for placement of the displaced resin from the ribmembers. The displaced resin material completes the formation of themolded plastic article.

U.S. Pat. No. 3,982,869 to Eggers, published on Sep. 28, 1976 teaches amultiple mold assembly is disclosed for molding articles in an injectionmolding apparatus. The assembly includes two molding sections that arealternatively shuttled from positions wherein one of the moldingsections is in position for a molding operation, and the other moldingsection is in position for loading of inserts, performing preparatory orfinishing operations, or removal of molded articles, to the reversepositions. The shuttle assembly of this invention is particularlyadapted for use in a horizontal injection molding apparatus and forinsert molding.

U.S. Pat. No. 4,981,634 to Maus et al., published on Jan. 1, 1991teaches an injection molding process creates a micro clean roomenvironment inside a mold cavity which can stay closed to airbornecontaminants while ejecting and transferring the molded part out. Themolded part is formed and solidified at a parting line plane within themold cavity, then is carried rearward on the movable mold insert to asecond plane where it is stripped off and transferred out through adischarge aperture which is open when the mold cavity is in the secondplane but closed off when in the first plane. The aperture facessubstantially downward to prevent entry by upwelling thermal aircurrents. External supplied filtered gas can provide positive pressurethrough vents within the moldset's internal space. This maximizes moldand part cleanliness while speeding up “mold-open” cycle; may eliminateHEPA filters/enclosures and robots. Optical disks, lenses, foodpackaging and medical parts are suggested uses.

U.S. Pat. No. 4,950,152 to Brun, published on Aug. 21, 1990 teaches aplurality of injection cores are inserted by a movable platen intocorresponding injection cavities defined by mold inserts within astationary platen, and the cores extend through corresponding splittransfer mold cavities. After hollow preforms with threaded neckportions are molded within the cavities, the preforms are removed fromthe mold cavities, separated from the injection cores, and then shiftedtransversely by the split transfer molds to cooling or blow cavitiesdefined by blow cavity inserts within the stationary platen on oppositesides of the corresponding injection cavities. The transfer molds returnto receive the injection cores, and corresponding blow core units areinserted into the preforms within the blow cavities for pressurizing andexpanding the preforms into firm contact with the blow inserts. Thepreforms are removed from the blow cavities by the blow cores onalternate cycles of press operation and are then released by retractionof the blow cores. The split transfer molds are shifted transversely inopposite directions and are opened and closed by a cam system whichincludes cam tracks mounted on the movable platen and incorporating camtrack switches.

SUMMARY

According to a first aspect described herein, there is provided a moldedarticle transfer device for use with an injection mold. The moldedarticle transfer device includes a shuttle that is slidably arranged, inuse, within the injection mold, the shuttle defining a first aperture,at least in part, that alternately accommodates: (i) a first mold stackarranged therein; and (ii) a first molded article received therein withopening of the first mold stack to retract it from the first aperture.The first molded article is transferable, in use, within the firstaperture with shuttling movement of the shuttle.

According to a second aspect described herein, there is provided aninjection mold that includes a first mold half, a second mold half, amolded article transfer device, and an in-mold shutter. The first moldhalf includes a first mold shoe with a first stack portion of a firstmold stack connected thereto. The second mold half includes a secondmold shoe with a second stack portion of the first mold stack connectedthereto. The in-mold shutter being configured to position, in use, thefirst stack portion and the second stack portion relative to each other,along a mold-stroke axis, to close and open a molding cavity that isdefined therebetween for to molding and ejecting, respectively, a firstmolded article. The molded article transfer device being configured toreceive and transfer the first molded article with opening of themolding cavity.

According to a third aspect described herein, there is provided acontroller including instructions being embodied in a controller-usablememory of the controller, the instructions for directing the controllerto execute a molding process. The molding process includes: (i) closinga first mold stack of an injection mold to define a molding cavitytherein, wherein the first mold stack is arranged within a firstaperture that is defined by a shuttle of a molded article transferdevice; (ii) molding a first molded article within the molding cavity;(iii) opening the first mold stack to retract it from the firstaperture; (iv) arranging the first mold stack to eject the first moldedarticle into the first aperture of the shuttle; and (v) shuttling of theshuttle to transfer the first molded article within the first aperture.

According to a fourth aspect described herein, there is provided anin-mold shutter for embedding in an injection mold. The in-mold shutterincludes a shutter actuator that is configured to selectively engage afirst mold shoe of an injection mold with a platen of a mold clampingassembly to hold the first mold shoe in an extended position, along amold-stroke axis, during a step of molding a first molded article in theinjection mold.

According to a fifth aspect described herein, there is provided anin-mold shutter for embedding in an injection mold. The in-mold shutterincludes a shutter member that is associated, in use, with one of aplaten of a mold clamping assembly and a first mold shoe of theinjection mold. The in-mold shutter also includes a link member that isassociated with a remaining one of the platen and the first mold shoe.The shutter member and the link member are configured to be selectivelyengageable, in use, to hold the first mold shoe in an extended position,along a mold-stroke axis, during a step of molding a first moldedarticle in the injection mold.

According to a sixth aspect described herein, there is provided acontroller including instructions being embodied in a controller-usablememory of the controller, the instructions for directing the controllerto execute a molding process. The molding process includes: (i) closinga first mold stack of an injection mold to define a molding cavitytherein; (ii) shuttering an in-mold shutter to engage a first mold shoeof the injection mold with one of a to moving platen and a stationaryplaten of a injection molding system; (iii) molding a first moldedarticle within the molding cavity; (iv) un-shuttering the in-moldshutter to disengage the first mold shoe from the one of the movingplaten and the stationary platen; and (v) selectively positioning thefirst mold shoe, along a mold-stroke axis.

These and other aspects and features will now become apparent to thoseskilled in the art upon review of the following description of specificnon-limiting embodiments in conjunction with the accompanying drawings.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The detailed description of illustrative (non-limiting) embodiments willbe more fully appreciated when taken in conjunction with theaccompanying drawings, in which:

FIG. 1 depicts a schematic representation of an injection molding systemhaving a non-limiting embodiment of an injection mold arranged therein;

FIG. 2A depicts a perspective view of a portion of a first mold half ofthe injection mold of FIG. 1 and of portions of non-limiting embodimentsof a molded article transfer device and of an in-mold shutter that areassociated therewith;

FIG. 2B depicts a perspective view of a portion of a second mold half ofthe injection mold of FIG. 1 and of a further portion of the moldedarticle transfer device of FIG. 2A that is associated therewith;

FIG. 3 depicts another perspective view of the portion of the moldedarticle transfer device of FIG. 2A;

FIG. 4 depicts a further perspective view of the portion of the moldedarticle transfer device of FIG. 2A in a partially assembled state;

FIGS. 5A-5D depict a start-up molding process involving the injectionmold, the molded article transfer device, and the in-mold shutter ofFIG. 2A, wherein the injection mold, the molded article transfer device,and the in-mold shutter are each shown in section as taken along lineA-A identified in FIGS. 2A and 2B;

FIGS. 5E-5K depict a production molding process involving the injectionmold, the molded article transfer device, and the in-mold shutter ofFIG. 2A;

FIGS. 6A-6G depict an alternative production molding process involvingan alternative non-limiting embodiment of the injection mold, and themolded article transfer device and the in-mold shutter of FIG. 2A;

FIGS. 7A-7F depict another alternative production molding processinvolving the injection mold and the in-mold part transfer device ofFIG. 6A, and that does not involve the in-mold shutter of FIG. 2A;

FIGS. 8A-8G depict an alternative production molding process involvingan alternative non-limiting embodiment of the injection mold, analternative non-limiting embodiment of the molded article transferdevice, and the in-mold shutter of FIG. 2A;

FIG. 9 depicts a flow chart of a first aspect of the production moldingprocess;

FIG. 10 depicts a flow chart of a second aspect of the productionmolding process;

FIGS. 11A and 11B, 12A and 12B, and 13A and 13B depict variousalternative non-limiting embodiments of an in-mold shutter in a shutposition and an open position, respectively;

FIG. 14 depicts yet another alternative non-limiting embodiment of anin-mold shutter in a shut position.

The drawings are not necessarily to scale and may be illustrated byphantom lines, diagrammatic representations and fragmentary views. Incertain instances, details that are not necessary for an understandingof the embodiments or that render other details difficult to perceivemay have been omitted.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE NON-LIMITING EMBODIMENT(S)

FIG. 1 depicts a schematic representation of an injection molding system900 with a non-limiting embodiment of an injection mold 100 arrangedtherein. The injection mold 100 is operable to mold a first moldedarticle 102 (FIG. 2A) such as, for example, a container closure.

In the description of the injection molding system 900 and the injectionmold 100 that follows many of the components thereof are known topersons skilled in the art, and as such these known components will notbe described in detail herein. A detailed description of these knowncomponents may be referenced, at least in part, in the followingreference books (for example): (i) “Injection Molding Handbook” authoredby OSSWALD/TURNG/GRAMANN (ISBN: 3-446-21669-2), (ii) “Injection MoldingHandbook” authored by ROSATO AND ROSATO (ISBN: 0-412-10581-3), (iii)“Injection Molding Systems” 3rd Edition authored by JOHANNABER (ISBN3-446-17733-7) and/or (iv) “Runner and Gating Design Handbook” authoredby BEAUMONT (ISBN 1-446-22672-9).

The injection molding system 900 shown in FIG. 1 is shown to include,but is not limited to, a mold clamping assembly 996 and an injectionassembly 997.

By way of example, the mold clamping assembly 996 described hereafter isrepresentative of a typical three-platen variety although no suchspecific limitation on the generality of the construction and/oroperation thereof is intended. As such the mold clamping assembly 996may have a different construction, such as, for example, one having onlytwo-platens. That being said, the non-limiting embodiment of the moldclamping assembly 996 includes, amongst other things, a moving platen912, a stationary platen 914, a clamp block 913, and a tie bar 916. Thetie bar 916 links the stationary platen 914 with the clamp block 913,and moreover slidably supports the moving platen 912 thereon. While forthe sake of simplicity of depiction only one tie bar 916 is shown, it istypical to provide four such tie bars 916, one extending between each ofthe four corners of the moving platen 912, the stationary platen 914,and the clamp block 913. The mold clamping assembly 996 also includes aplaten-moving actuator 915 (such as, for example, a hydraulic actuator,a pneumatic actuator, an electro-mechanical actuator, or the like) thatis connected between the moving platen 912 and the clamp block 913. Theplaten-moving actuator 915 is operable, in use, to move the movingplaten 912 with respect to the stationary platen 914 and thus move afirst mold half 96 with respect to a second mold half 98 that aremounted thereto, respectively. The mold clamping assembly 996 furtherincludes a clamp actuator 918 and a clamp shutter 920 in associationwith the clamp block 913. The clamp shutter 920 is operable, in use, toselectively connect the clamp actuator 918 with the moving platen 912for sake of a clamping together of the first mold half 96 and the secondmold half 98. Lastly, the mold clamping assembly 996 may also include anejector actuator 922 (such as, for example, a hydraulic actuator, apneumatic actuator, an electro-mechanical actuator, or the like) that isassociated with the moving platen 912. The ejector actuator 922 isconnectable to a structure that is associated with the first mold half96. The structure of the first mold half 96 is driven, in use, withactuation of the ejector actuator 922, whereby an operation isperformed, such as, for example, ejecting the first molded article 102from the first mold half 96.

By way of example, the injection assembly 997 described hereafter isrepresentative of a typical reciprocating screw variety although nospecific limitation on the generality of a construction and/or operationthereof is intended. As such the injection assembly 997 may have adifferent construction, such as, for example, one having separateplasticizing and injection means (i.e. so-called two stage variety). Theinjection assembly 997 is operable to melt and inject a moldingmaterial, such as, for example, Polyethylene orPolyethylene-terephthalate (PET) through a machine nozzle (not shown)and into a melt distribution apparatus 190 (e.g. hot runner, coldrunner, insulated runner, or the like) that is associated with thesecond mold half 98. The melt distribution apparatus 190 in turn directsthe molding material into one or more molding cavity 101 (FIG. 5A) thatare defined within the injection mold 100 with the first mold half 96and the second mold half 98 being closed and clamped together.

The first mold half 96 of the injection mold 100 is further shown asincluding an in-mold shutter 140, a molded article transfer device 150,and a first mold shoe 130 arranged therebetween. A detailed descriptionof the structure and operation of the foregoing will follow. Broadlyspeaking, the in-mold shutter 140 is operable to selectively engage, inuse, the first mold shoe 130 (FIG. 2A) of the first mold half 96 to oneof the moving platen 912 and the stationary platen 914 of the moldclamping assembly 996, whereby the injection mold 100 may be opened orclosed substantially without having to move the moving platen 912relative to the stationary platen 914 (although such movement is notprecluded). For its part, the first mold shoe 130 is structured to havea first stack portion 110 (FIG. 5A) of a first mold stack 106A connectedthereto. Lastly, the molded article transfer device 150 is operable totransfer the first molded article 102A (FIG. 2A) that is received fromthe first mold stack 106A.

A detailed construction of the non-limiting embodiment of the injectionmold 100 may be appreciated with further reference to FIGS. 2A, 2B, 3,and 5A. As previously mentioned, and as best shown in FIG. 5A, the firststack portion 110 of the first mold stack 106A is shown connected to thefirst mold shoe 130 of the first mold half 96. Also shown is a secondstack portion 120 of the first mold stack 106A that is connected to asecond mold shoe 131 of the second mold half 98. The first stack portion110 and the second stack portion 120 are positioned, in use, relative toeach other, along a mold-stroke axis X of the injection mold 100, toclose and open a molding cavity 101 that is defined therebetween formolding and ejecting, respectively, the first molded article 102A (FIG.2A) therein.

The first stack portion 110 of the first mold stack 106A includes aninner core 112, an outer core 114, and a stripper sleeve 116 thatcooperate, in use, with a cavity insert 122 of the second stack portion120 to define the molding cavity 101.

The outer core 114 is slidably arranged around the inner core 112 toaccommodate, in use, relative movement thereof along the mold-strokeaxis X, a technical effect of which may include, for example, therelease of a seal portion 103 (FIG. 5D) of the first molded article102A. Likewise, the stripper sleeve 116 is slidably arranged around theouter core 114 to accommodate, in use, the relative movement thereofalong the mold-stroke axis X, a technical effect of which may include,for example, the stripping of the first molded article 102A from theouter core 114.

As previously mentioned, the foregoing members of the first stackportion 110 are connected to the first mold shoe 130. Now, in moredetail, the first mold shoe 130 includes a first core retainer 132 and astripper retainer 136 that are slidably connected together toaccommodate the relative movement thereof, in use, along the mold-strokeaxis X, wherein the inner core 112 is connected to the first coreretainer 132, and the stripper sleeve 116 is retained with the stripperretainer 136. As such, the stripper sleeve 116 is movable, in use, alongthe mold-stroke axis X, relative to the inner core 112, and to the outercore 114, albeit once the outer core 114 has reached its limit of travelwith respect to the inner core 112, between a stripper sleeve moldingposition (FIG. 5A) and an ejection position (FIG. 5D), with relativemovement between the first core retainer 132 and the stripper retainer136.

Of note, the inner core 112 is shown to be connected to the first coreretainer 132 in a fluid tight manner to isolate a coolant circuit thatis defined therein. The coolant channel is defined between a coolantdispenser 193 and a space that is defined within the inner core 112within which the coolant dispenser 193 is arranged. An end portion ofthe coolant dispenser 193 is connected to the first core retainer 132and is otherwise arranged to direct coolant, in use, between a coolantinlet conduit 191 and a coolant outlet conduit 194 that are defined inthe first core retainer 132. In operation, a coolant, such as water, iscirculated through the coolant channel to remove heat from the innercore 112, and any of the other members of the first mold stack 106A thatare thermally connected therewith, whereby the first molded article 102Amay be rapidly cooled to ensure a faster molding cycle.

In this arrangement, the stripper sleeve 116 is fixedly arranged in apassageway 137 that is defined in the stripper retainer 136. Moreparticularly, the stripper retainer 136 includes a base plate 133, anintermediate plate 134, and a top plate 135 that are fastened together,in use, with the passageway 137 being defined therethrough, wherein aflange portion 123 of the stripper sleeve 116 is retained between theintermediate plate 134 and the top plate 135. The outer core 114 isslidably arranged within the passageway 137 to accommodate relativemovement between the outer core 114 and the stripper sleeve 116, alongthe mold-stroke axis X, with the movement of the outer core 114, from anouter core molding position (FIG. 5A) to a stripping position (FIG. 5D).

As previously alluded to, the outer core 114 and the inner core 112 areslidably retained together to limit, in use, the relative movementthereof, in use, along the mold-stroke axis X. For example, the innercore 112 may be structured to define a bayonet 113 and the outer core114, 214, 314 structured to define a bayonet pocket 117, wherein thebayonet 113 and the bayonet pocket 117 are configured to cooperate, whenrotatably engaged, to slidably retain the outer core 114 about the innercore 112. In operation the inner core 112 and the outer core 114 arekept rotatably engaged by a key 119 that is associated with the stripperretainer 136. The key 119 is fixedly arranged between the base plate 133and the intermediate plate 134 with a portion thereof extending into thepassageway 137 with which to cooperate with the outer core 114 tomaintain an angular orientation thereof with respect to the inner core112.

The first stack portion 110 further includes a resilient member 115 thatis arranged between the inner core 112 and the outer core 114, andwherein the resilient member 115 is arranged to bias the outer core 114towards a forward limit of travel with respect to the stripper sleeve116 that corresponds with their relative arrangement during the moldingof the first molded article 102A—as shown in FIG. 5A. The forward limitof travel of the outer core 114 with respect to the stripper sleeve 116is provided through cooperation of a shoulder 121 that is defined on theouter core 114 and a step 139 that is defined in the passageway 137across a bottom of the flange portion 123 of the stripper sleeve 116.

As previously mentioned, the injection mold 100 further includes thein-mold shutter 140 that is associated with the first mold half 96. Asbest shown with reference to FIG. 5A, the in-mold shutter 140 broadlyincludes a shutter member 144 and a link member 146. As shown, theshutter member 144 is associated with the moving platen 912 of the moldclamping assembly 996, and the link member 146 is associated with thefirst mold shoe 130. In operation, the shutter member 144 is alternatelyselectively positioned, in use, in: i) an open position U, and ii) ashut position S. As such, the in-mold shutter 140 further includes ashutter actuator 148 that is connected to the shutter member 144, theshutter actuator 148 being operable, in use, to drive the movement ofthe shutter member 144 between the open position U and the shut positionS. With the shutter member 144 arranged in the shut position S, as shownin FIG. 5A, the shutter member 144 is engaged with the link member 146,whereby the first mold shoe 130 is engaged with the moving platen 912.With the shutter member 144 arranged in the open position U, as shown inFIG. 5B or 5F, the shutter member 144 is disengaged from the link member146, whereby the first mold shoe 130 may be moved, in use, along themold-stroke axis X. The movement of the first mold shoe 130, along themold-stroke axis X, may be driven, for example, by the ejector actuator922 of the mold clamping assembly 996. The foregoing is schematicallyshown with reference to FIG. 5B, wherein the ejector actuator 922 isshown to be connected to the first core retainer 132.

The in-mold shutter 140 further includes a support base 142 upon whichthe shutter member 144 is slidably coupled, and wherein the support base142 is structured to be fixedly connected, in use, by a fastener 192, orthe like, to the moving platen 912. Furthermore, the link member 146 isconnected to a back face of the first core retainer 132 of the firstmold shoe 130. In this arrangement, the link member 146 is aligned withthe first stack portion 110 of the first mold stack 106A. Likewise,where the injection mold 100 includes a plurality of mold stacks,included in which is the first mold stack 106A, with which to define aplurality molding cavities to mold, in use, a plurality of moldedarticles, such as that shown with reference to FIGS. 2A and 2B, thein-mold shutter 140 may further include a plurality of link members,included in which is the link member 146, wherein each of the pluralityof link members is aligned with one of the plurality of mold stacks.That being said, no such specific limitation as to the number andarrangement of the link members is intended.

The shutter member 144 further defines a first clearance aperture 145that is configured to accommodate the link member 146 being arrangedtherein, in use, with the shutter member 144 being positioned in theopen position U (FIG. 5B or 5F) and with the movement of the first moldshoe 130, along the mold-stroke axis X, towards a retracted position B(FIG. 5D or 51). Depending on the required stroke of the first mold shoe130, the first clearance aperture 145 may be structured to extend, asshown, through the shutter member 144. Furthermore, the support base 142may also define a second clearance aperture 143 that is aligned, in use,with the first clearance aperture 145, with positioning of the shuttermember 144 into the open position U. As such, the second clearanceaperture 143 is configured to accommodate the link member 146 beingarranged therein, in use, with the shutter member 144 being positionedin the open position U and with the movement of the first mold shoe 130,along the mold-stroke axis X, towards the retracted position B, as shownin FIG. 5D or 5I.

The shape and size of the link member 146 in relation to those of thefirst clearance aperture 145 and the second clearance aperture 143 isnot particularly limited so long as the link member 146 is arrangeabletherethrough. In the present non-limiting example, the link member 146has a cylindrical body, and wherein the first clearance aperture 145 andthe second clearance aperture 143 are provided as complementarycylindrical bores.

As mentioned previously, the first core retainer 132 and the stripperretainer 136 are slidably connected together to accommodate the relativemovement thereof, in use, along the mold-stroke axis X. Furthermore, thefirst core retainer 132 and the stripper retainer 136 are also slidablyconnected to the in-mold shutter 140. As such, and as shown withreference to FIG. 5A, the in-mold shutter 140 further includes a guidemember 141 with which to guide the members of the first mold shoe 130along the mold-stroke axis X. More particularly, the guide member 141may include one or more leader pins, or the like, that are fixed to thesupport base 142, wherein the guide member 141 is slidably receivedwithin a bushing 149 that is arranged in each of the first core retainer132 and the stripper retainer 136.

Various other alternative non-limiting embodiments of the injection mold100 including the in-mold shutter 140 are contemplated, although notshown. For example, the in-mold shutter 140 may be associated with thesecond mold half 98 instead of the first mold half 96, and as suchcooperates, in use, with the stationary platen 914 (FIG. 1). As afurther example, the association of the shutter member 144 and the linkmember 146 may be interchanged, wherein the shutter member 144 isassociated with the first mold shoe 130, and the link member 146 isassociated with the moving platen 912. More generally, within thevarious other alternative non-limiting embodiments of the injection mold100 one of the shutter member 144 and the link member 146 is associated,in use, with one of the moving platen 912 and the stationary platen 914of the injection molding system 900, and wherein a remaining one of theshutter member 144 and the link member 146 is associated, in use, withthe first mold shoe 130.

As previously mentioned, the injection mold 100 also includes the moldedarticle transfer device 150. As shown with reference to FIGS. 2A, 2B, 3,4, and 5A, the molded article transfer device 150 broadly includes ashuttle 154 that is slidably arranged, in use, within the injection mold100. The shuttle 154 defining a first aperture 156A, at least in part,that alternately accommodates: i) the first mold stack 106A arrangedtherein, as shown in FIG. 5A; and ii) the first molded article 102Areceived therein, as shown in FIG. 5I, wherein the first molded article102A being transferable, in use, within the first aperture 156A withshuttling movement of the shuttle 154.

More particularly, the shuttle 154 is slidably arranged between thefirst mold shoe 130 and the second mold shoe 131 of the injection mold100 to accommodate the shuttling movement therebetween, in use, along ashuttling axis Y (FIG. 3) that is generally perpendicular to themold-stroke axis X (FIG. 5A). As shown with reference to FIG. 5A, thefirst aperture 156A is configured to accommodate, when positioned in afirst receiving position R, the first stack portion 110 of the firstmold stack 106A being retractably arranged therein during molding, inuse, of the first molded article 102A (FIG. 5B). As shown with referenceto FIG. 5I, the first aperture 156A is further configured to receive,while still positioned in the first receiving position R, the firstmolded article 102A therein with retraction of the first stack portion110 therefrom and with ejection thereof from the first stack portion110. Thereafter, the first molded article 102A is transferred, in use,within the first aperture 156A, with the shuttling movement of theshuttle 154 from the first receiving position R to a first transferposition T (FIG. 3). To provide for the shuttling movements of theshuttle 154 the molded article transfer device 150 is further providedwith a shuttle actuator 168 that is connected to the shuttle 154, theshuttle actuator 168 being operable, in use, to drive the shuttlingmovement of the shuttle 154.

In this arrangement the shuttle 154 is slidably arranged to accommodatethe shuttling movement thereof with the first mold half 96 and thesecond mold half 98 of the injection mold 100 being positioned in a moldclosed configuration C (FIG. 5A). That is, the first mold half 96 andthe second mold half 98 of the injection mold 100 need not be rearrangedinto a mold open configuration O (FIG. 5B) in order to accommodate theshuttling movement of the shuttle 154. As such, the molded articletransfer device 150 further includes a base plate 170 upon which theshuttle 154 is slidably connected for the shuttling movement thereof, inuse, along the shuttling axis Y. The base plate 170 is associated, asshown in FIG. 5A, with the first mold half 96 of the injection mold 100.The manner in which the shuttle 154 is slidably connected to the baseplate 170 is not particularly limited. For example, in the presentnon-limiting embodiment the shuttle 154 is slidably connected to a faceof the base plate 170 using a linear bearing arrangement. Moreparticularly, for ease of manufacture, service, and assembly, theshuttle 154 may be provided as a plurality of interconnected shuttlemodules 155, as shown with reference to FIG. 2A, each of which isconnected to a bearing block 172, as shown with reference to FIG. 4,that is in turn slidably connected to a linear race 174 that is mountedto the base plate 170.

As previously mentioned, the base plate 170 is associated, as shown inFIG. 5A, with the first mold half 96 of the injection mold 100. As such,the in-mold shutter 140 is further provided with an ejector box 147 withwhich to frame the first mold shoe 130 and otherwise couple, in use, thebase plate 170 of the molded article transfer device 150 with the movingplaten 912 of the injection molding system 900. More particularly, afastener 192 connects the base plate 170 to a top of the ejector box 147and another fastener 192 connects the support base 142 of the in-moldshutter 140 to a bottom of the ejector box 147, recalling that thesupport base 142 is fixedly connected, in use, by a fastener 192, or thelike, to the moving platen 912. Furthermore, the ejector box 147 definesa space 151 within which the first mold shoe 130 may be moved, in use,along the mold-stroke axis X, to provide for positioning of the membersof the mold stacks. As previously mentioned, the movement of the firstmold shoe 130, along the mold-stroke axis X, may be driven, at least inpart, by the ejector actuator 922 of the mold clamping assembly 996.More particularly, the ejector actuator 922 is shown to be connected tothe first core retainer 132 for a repositioning thereof. Furthermore,and as shown in FIG. 5B, the injection mold 100 further includes astripper actuator 153 with which to connect the molded article transferdevice 150 with the stripper retainer 136, the stripper actuator 153being operable, in use, to drive the relative movement of the stripperretainer 136 along the mold-stroke axis X.

As shown with reference to FIGS. 2B and 5A, the molded article transferdevice 150 further includes a first barricade 158A that is associatedthe second mold half 98. The first barricade 158A is configured tocooperate with the shuttle 154, as shown in FIG. 5A, to further definethe first aperture 156A when positioned in the first receiving positionR.

Returning to the description of the non-limiting embodiment, and withreference to FIG. 2A, it is shown that the shuttle 154 further defines afirst channel 160A. The first channel 160A and the first barricade 158Aare configured to cooperate, in use, to define the first aperture 156Awith the first barricade 158A being positioned, by the shuttlingmovement of the shuttle 154, within the first channel 160A. Theforegoing arrangement is not clearly shown in the figures but mayotherwise be appreciated with reference to FIG. 3 wherein a secondchannel 160B and the first barricade 158A are configured to cooperate todefine a second aperture 156B with the first barricade 158A beingpositioned within the second channel 160B. With positioning, in use, ofthe first channel 160A into the first receiving position R, as shown inFIG. 2A, by the shuttling movement of the shuttle 154, the first channel160A is positioned to accommodate the first stack portion 110, 210, 310being retractably arranged therein during molding of the first moldedarticle 102A.

With reference to FIG. 3, it may be appreciated that the first channel160A is further configured to accommodate the first molded article 102Apassing therealong, towards an exit 164 thereof, with positioning, inuse, of the first channel 160A into the first transfer position T, bythe shuttling movement of the shuttle 154, wherein the first channel160A is positioned beside the first stack portion 110, 210, 310 and thefirst barricade 158A.

As previously mentioned, the shuttle 154 further defines a secondchannel 160B. The second channel 160B is adjacent to, and generallyparallel with, the first channel 160A, wherein with one of the firstchannel 160A and the second channel 160B being positioned in the firstreceiving position R a remaining one of the first channel 160A and thesecond channel 160B is positioned in the first transfer position T. Theforegoing arrangement may be appreciated by contrasting FIGS. 2A and 3,wherein the shuttle 154 has undergone a shuttling movement, and that inFIG. 2A the first channel 160A is registered in the first receivingposition R and the second channel 160B is in the first transfer positionT, whereas in FIG. 3 the situation is reversed in that the first channel160A is in the first transfer position T and the second channel 160B isin the first receiving position R.

As shown in FIG. 3, the second channel 160B and the first barricade 158Aare configured to cooperate, in use, to define the second aperture 156Bwith the first barricade 158A being positioned within the second channel160B, with positioning, in use, of the second channel 160B into thefirst receiving position R, by the shuttling movement of the shuttle154, wherein the second channel 160B is positioned to accommodate thefirst stack portion 110 being retractably arranged therein duringmolding of another of the first molded article 102A. Likewise, thesecond channel 160B is further configured to accommodate the another ofthe first molded article 102A passing therealong, not shown, towards theexit thereof, with positioning, in use, of the second channel 160B intothe first transfer position T, as shown in FIG. 2A, by the shuttlingmovement of the shuttle 154, wherein the second channel 160B ispositioned beside the first stack portion 110 and the first barricade158A.

As may be appreciated with reference to FIGS. 2A and 3, the firstchannel 160A and the second channel 160B each include a straight portionwithin which the first aperture 156A and the second aperture 156B aredefined, respectively. As such, the first channel 160A and the secondchannel 160B are defined between cooperating pairs of guide bars 162that are associated with the shuttle 154. The pairs of guide bars 162define gaps 166 therein through which the first barricade 158A is slid,in use, with relative movement of the shuttle 154 with respect to thefirst barricade 158A.

As may be appreciated with reference to FIG. 2A, the injection mold 100includes several columns of mold stacks with which to simultaneouslymold a plurality of molded articles. Of note, while the portion of thesecond mold half 98 shown in FIG. 2A depicts only the second stackportion 120 of the first mold stack 106A, the second mold half 98 would,in its entirety, further include other second stack portions, not shown,with which to cooperate with the other mold stacks.

As shown with reference to FIGS. 2A and 3, the columns of mold stacksincludes a first column of mold stacks, within which is the first moldstack 106A with which to mold the first molded article 102A and a secondmold stack 106B with which to mold a second molded article 102B. Themolded article transfer device 150 further comprises a second barricade158B that is associated with the second mold half 98. The first channel160A and the second barricade 158B are configured to cooperate, in use,to define a third aperture 156C with the second barricade 158B beingpositioned within the first channel 160A, with positioning, in use, ofthe first channel 160A into the first receiving position R, by theshuttling movement of the shuttle 154, wherein the first channel 160A ispositioned to accommodate the first stack portion 110 of the second moldstack 106B being retractably arranged therein during molding of thesecond molded article 102B. As shown with reference to FIG. 3, the firstchannel 160A is further configured to accommodate the second moldedarticle 102B passing therealong, towards the exit 164 thereof, withpositioning, in use, of the first channel 160A into the first transferposition T, by the shuttling movement of the shuttle 154, wherein thefirst channel 160A is positioned beside the first column of mold stacks,the first barricade 158A and the second barricade 158B. Likewise, asshown again with reference to FIG. 3, the second channel 160B and thesecond barricade 158B are configured to cooperate, in use, to define afourth aperture 156D with the second barricade 158B being positionedwithin the second channel 160B, with positioning, in use, of the secondchannel 160B into the first receiving position R, by the shuttlingmovement of the shuttle 154, wherein the second channel 160B ispositioned to accommodate the first stack portion 110 of the second moldstack 106B being retractably arranged therein during molding of anotherof the second molded article 102B (not shown). As shown with referenceto FIG. 3, the second channel 160B is further configured to accommodatethe another of the second molded article 102B (not shown) passingtherealong, not shown, towards the exit 164 thereof, with positioning,in use, of the second channel 160B into the first transfer position T,by the shuttling movement of the shuttle 154, wherein the second channel160B is positioned beside the first stack portion 110, 210, 310 of thefirst column of mold stacks, the first barricade 158A and the secondbarricade 158B.

Also shown with reference to FIGS. 2A and 3 is that the columns of moldstacks also includes a second column of mold stacks having a third moldstack 106C with which to mold a third molded article 102C and a fourthmold stack 106D with which to mold a fourth molded article 102D. Assuch, the molded article transfer device 150 further includes a thirdbarricade 158C and a fourth barricade 158D that are associated with thesecond mold half 98. Furthermore, the shuttle 154 further defines athird channel 160C and a fourth channel 160D that are adjacent to, andgenerally parallel with, the first channel 160A and the second channel160B, wherein with one of the third channel 160C and the fourth channel160D being positioned in a second receiving position R′ a remaining oneof the third channel 160C and the fourth channel 160D is positioned in asecond transfer position T′. As shown in FIG. 2A, the third channel 160Cand the third barricade 158C are configured to cooperate, in use, todefine a fifth aperture 156E with the third barricade 158C beingpositioned within the third channel 160C, with positioning, in use, ofthe third channel 160C into the second receiving position R′, by theshuttling movement of the shuttle 154, wherein the third channel 160C ispositioned to accommodate the first stack portion 110 of the third moldstack 106C being retractably arranged therein during molding of thethird molded article 102C. Likewise, and as shown in FIG. 3, the fourthchannel 160D and the third barricade 158C are configured to cooperate,in use, to define a sixth aperture 156F with the third barricade 158Cbeing positioned within the fourth channel 160D, with positioning, inuse, of the fourth channel 160D into the second receiving position R′,by the shuttling movement of the shuttle 154, wherein the fourth channel160D is positioned to accommodate the first stack portion 110, 210, 310of the third mold stack 106C being retractably arranged therein duringmolding of another of the third molded article 102C (not shown).

Likewise, and as shown in FIG. 2A, the third channel 160C and the fourthbarricade 158D are configured to cooperate, in use, to define a seventhaperture 156G with the fourth barricade 158D being positioned within thethird channel 160C, with positioning, in use, of the third channel 160Cinto the second receiving position R′, by the shuttling movement of theshuttle 154, wherein the third channel 160C is positioned to accommodatethe first stack portion 110, 210, 310 of the fourth mold stack 106Dbeing retractably arranged therein during molding of the fourth moldedarticle 102D. Lastly, and as shown in FIG. 3, the fourth channel 160Dand the fourth barricade 158D are configured to cooperate, in use, todefine an eighth aperture 156H with the fourth barricade 158D beingpositioned within the fourth channel 160D, with positioning, in use, ofthe fourth channel 160D into the second receiving position R′, by theshuttling movement of the shuttle 154, wherein the fourth channel 160Dis positioned to accommodate the first stack portion 110, 210, 310 ofthe fourth mold stack 106D being retractably arranged therein duringmolding of another of the fourth molded article 102D (not shown).Furthermore, the third channel 160C and the fourth channel 160D arefurther configured to accommodate the third molded article 102C and thefourth molded article 102D, and alternately the another of the thirdmolded article 102C and the another of the fourth molded article 102D,respectively, passing therealong, towards the exit 164 thereof, withsequential arranging, in use, of the third channel 160C and the fourthchannel 160D into the second transfer position T′, by the shuttlingmovement of the shuttle 154, wherein the third channel 160C and thefourth channel 160D are positioned beside the second column of moldstacks, the third barricade 158C and the fourth barricade 158D.

Thus, having just described the non-limiting embodiment of the injectionmold 100, and prior to discussing the detailed operation of theforegoing, it is worth noting that a simple reconfiguration of theforegoing is possible, albeit not shown, wherein the base plate 170 isassociated with the second mold half 98 of the injection mold 100, andas such the first barricade 158A, and the like, would instead beassociated the first mold half 96.

The operation of the foregoing non-limiting embodiment of the injectionmold 100 will now be described with reference to a start-up moldingprocess, as shown in FIGS. 5A through 5D, and thereafter a productionmolding process, as shown in FIGS. 5E through 5J. Where reference ismade to the operation of the first mold stack 106A the same operationapplies to the remaining mold stacks in the injection mold 100 eventhough not specifically mentioned.

As the name implies, the start-up molding process would typically beexecuted, although not exclusively, when starting the injection mold100. As generally known, the start-up of an injection mold oftenrequires manual intervention by a molding system operator to clearshort-shots (i.e. molded articles that are only partially molded), toremove molded articles that stubbornly resist ejection (e.g. typicallydue to an over cooling thereof), or to remove flash (i.e. moldingmaterial that has seeped outside of the molding cavity 101), and thelike. Thus, during start-up it may be necessary to position the firstmold half 96 and the second mold half 98, along the mold-stroke axis X,into the mold open configuration O, as shown in FIG. 5B, with relativerepositioning of the moving platen 912 and the stationary platen 914, toprovide ready access to each of the first stack portion 110 and thesecond stack portion 120.

The start-up molding process begins, as shown in FIG. 5A, with theinjection mold 100 being positioned in the mold closed configuration Cwith the first mold shoe 130 being positioned, along the mold-strokeaxis X, in an extended position E such that the first mold stack 106A isclosed to define the molding cavity 101 therein. Furthermore, theshutter member 144 of the in-mold shutter 140 is in the shut position S,whereby the first mold shoe 130 is engaged with the moving platen 912.Accordingly, the injection mold 100 is configured for molding of thefirst molded article 102A. Thereafter, molding of the first moldedarticle 102A (not shown) is performed with injection of molding materialinto the molding cavity 101.

The start-up molding process next includes, as shown with reference toFIG. 5B, opening of the first mold stack 106A with positioning of thefirst mold half 96 and the second mold half 98, along the mold-strokeaxis X, into the mold open configuration O, with positioning of themoving platen 912 (FIG. 1) away from the stationary platen 914 (FIG. 1)through control of the platen-moving actuator 915 (FIG. 1). In so doing,the first molded article 102A is withdrawn with the first stack portion110. With the opening of the injection mold 100 there is also anun-shuttering of the in-mold shutter 140 to disengage the first moldshoe 130 from the moving platen 912. The un-shuttering of the shuttermember 144 includes shifting the shutter member 144 into the openposition U, through control of the shutter actuator 148, wherein theshutter member 144 is disengaged from the link member 146.

The start-up molding process next includes, as shown with reference toFIG. 5C, stripping of a seal portion 103 of the first molded article102A from where it was molded in between the inner core 112 and theouter core 114 with relative movement thereof. The foregoing involvesholding the position of the stripper retainer 136 against the base plate170, through control of the stripper actuator 153, to keep the strippersleeve 116 that is fixed thereto in the stripper sleeve moldingposition, while at the same time retracting the first core retainer 132,along the mold-stroke axis X, through control of the ejector actuator922, and thereby retract the inner core 112 that is retained thereto, adistance that is sufficient to strip the seal portion 103.

The start-up molding process next includes, as shown with reference toFIG. 5D, ejecting of the first molded article 102A from the first stackportion 110 with relative movement between the outer core 114 and thestripper sleeve 116, wherein the stripper sleeve 116 pushes the firstmolded article 102A off of the outer core 114. The foregoing involvesholding the position of the stripper retainer 136 against the base plate170, through control of the stripper actuator 153, to keep the strippersleeve 116 that is fixed thereto in the stripper sleeve moldingposition, while at the same retracting the first core retainer 132,along the mold stroke axis X, into a retracted position B, throughcontrol of the ejector actuator 922, to retract the inner core 112 thatis retained thereon a distance that is sufficient to further move theouter core 114 into stripping position by virtue of the inner core 112having reached its rearward limit of travel relative to the outer core114 as defined by the bayonet 113 in cooperation with the bayonet pocket117.

The start-up molding process ends, as shown with reference to FIG. 5E,with closing of the first mold stack 106A with positioning of the firstmold half 96 and the second mold half 98, along the mold-stroke axis X,into the mold closed configuration C, with positioning of the movingplaten 912 towards the stationary platen 914 through control of theplaten-moving actuator 915 (FIG. 1). The closing of the first mold stack106A further includes extending the first core retainer 132, along themold stroke axis X, into an extended position E, through control of theejector actuator 922, to extend the inner core 112 that is retainedthereon into an inner core molding position and in so doing push theouter core 114 into the outer core molding position by virtue of theinner core 112 having reached its forward limit of travel relative tothe outer core 114, as defined by the bayonet 113 in cooperation withthe bayonet pocket 117. With the closing of the injection mold 100 thereis also a shuttering of the in-mold shutter 140 to engage the first moldshoe 130 to the moving platen 912 (FIG. 1). The shuttering of theshutter member 144 includes shifting the shutter member 144 into theshut position S, through control of the shutter actuator 148, whereinthe shutter member 144 is once again engaged with the link member 146.The start-up molding process may be repeated many times, dependent onthe operational status of the injection mold 100 (e.g. each of theplurality of molding stacks molding molded articles of acceptablequality), prior to execution of the production molding process.

The production molding process for the injection mold 100 will bediscussed next. As the name implies, the production molding processwould typically be executed, although not exclusively, after completionof the start-up molding process. The production molding process isdifferent from the start-up molding process in that it further involves,amongst other things, operating steps relating to the use of the moldedarticle transfer device 150, and furthermore does not include the stepsof opening and closing of the injection mold 100. That is, theproduction molding process does not require re-arranging of the firstmold half 96 and the second mold half 98 between the mold openconfiguration O and the mold closed configuration C, and thus therelative movement of the moving platen 912 (FIG. 1) and the stationaryplaten 914 (FIG. 1). A technical effect of the foregoing may include,amongst others, a shortening of the molding cycle time, wherein acomponent of time that was formerly contributed by the certainoperations of the mold clamping assembly 996 have been removed. That is,the production cycle no longer involves waiting for the clamp shutter920 to be successively (i.e. with each molding cycle) un-shuttered andre-shuttered, and nor does it require waiting for the movements, to andfro, of the moving platen 912 (FIG. 1). That being said, the rearrangingof the first mold half 96 and the second mold half 98 is not precluded.

The production molding process begins, as shown in FIG. 5E, with theinjection mold 100 being positioned in the mold closed configuration Cwith the first mold shoe 130 being positioned, along the mold-strokeaxis X, in an extended position E such that the first mold stack 106A isclosed to define the molding cavity 101 therein. In so doing, the firstmold stack 106A is arranged within the first aperture 156A that isdefined by the shuttle 154 of the molded article transfer device 150,the first aperture 154A being positioned in the first receiving positionR. Furthermore, the shutter member 144 of the in-mold shutter 140 is inthe shut position S, whereby the first mold shoe 130 is engaged with themoving platen 912 (FIG. 1). Accordingly, the injection mold 100 isconfigured for molding of the first molded article 102A. Thereafter,molding of the first molded article 102A (not shown) is performed withinjection of molding material into the molding cavity 101.

The production molding process next includes, as shown with reference toFIG. 5F, the un-shuttering of the in-mold shutter 140 to disengaged thefirst mold shoe 130 from the moving platen 912 (FIG. 1). Theun-shuttering of the shutter member 144 includes shifting the shuttermember 144 into the open position U, through control of the shutteractuator 148, wherein the shutter member 144 is disengaged from the linkmember 146.

The production molding process next includes, as shown with reference toFIG. 5G, opening of the first mold stack 106A with retracting the firststack portion 110, along the mold-stroke axis X, to position the firstmolded article 102A that is arranged thereon in the first aperture 156A.This involves retracting the stripper retainer 136 and the first coreretainer 132, in tandem, along the mold-stroke axis X, and thus theretracting of the stripper sleeve 116 and the inner core 112 that areretained thereto, respectively, wherein the outer core 114 retracts withthe inner core 112 and the stripper sleeve 116 by virtue being linkedtogether therewith by the first molded article 102A. The retracting ofthe stripper retainer 136 and the first core retainer 132 is providedthrough control of the stripper actuator 153 and the ejector actuator922, respectively.

The production molding process next includes, as shown with reference toFIG. 5H, a first stage of arranging the first stack portion 110 to ejectthe first molded article 102A into the first aperture 156A of theshuttle 154, and more particularly the stripping of the seal portion 103of the first molded article 102A from where it was molded in between theinner core 112 and the outer core 114 with relative movement thereof.The foregoing involves holding the position of the stripper retainer136, through control of the stripper actuator 153 (which in this case ismade quite simple given that the stripper actuator 153 has reached itsrearward limit of travel), to keep the stripper sleeve 116 that is fixedthereto immobile, whereby the first molded article 102A is held in thefirst aperture 156A. The foregoing further involves retracting the firstcore retainer 132, through control of the ejector actuator 922, toretract the inner core 112 that is retained thereon, along the moldstroke axis X, a distance, relative to the outer core 114 which is keptimmobile by virtue of being arranged within the first molded article102A, that is sufficient to strip the seal portion 103.

The production molding process next includes, as shown with reference toFIG. 5I, a final stage of arranging the first stack portion 110 to ejectthe first molded article 102A into the first aperture 156A of theshuttle 154, and furthermore retracting of the first stack portion 110from the first aperture 156A. The foregoing involves continuing to holdthe position of the stripper retainer 136, through control of thestripper actuator 153, to keep the stripper sleeve 116 that is fixedthereto immobile, whereby the first molded article 102A is held in thefirst aperture 156A. The foregoing further involves retracting the firstcore retainer 132, along the mold stroke axis X, into the retractedposition B, through control of the ejector actuator 922, to retract theinner core 112 that is retained thereon a distance that is sufficient tofurther move the outer core 114 into stripping position by virtue of theinner core 112 having reached its rearward limit of travel relative tothe outer core 114 as defined by the bayonet 113 in cooperation with thebayonet pocket 117. The first molded article 102A is stripped from theouter core 114 as it is held in the first aperture 156A, throughsupporting contact with a top of the stripper sleeve 116, and the outercore 114 is retracted therefrom with its retraction to the strippingposition.

The production molding process next includes, as shown with reference toFIG. 5J, shuttling of the shuttle 154 to transfer the first moldedarticle 102A within the first aperture 156A. The foregoing involvesshuttling movement of the shuttle 154 between the first mold half 96 andthe second mold half 98 of the injection mold 100, along the shuttlingaxis Y (FIG. 3), through control of the shuttle actuator 168, whereinthe first channel 160A (i.e. the movable part of the first aperture156A), and with it the first molded article 102A, is moved from thefirst receiving position R (FIG. 5E) to the first transfer position T.

The production molding process ends, as shown with reference to FIG. 5K,with the passing of the first molded article 102A along the firstchannel 160A towards the exit 164 (FIG. 3) thereof (shown only by virtueof the disappearance of the first molded article 102A from the firstchannel 160A), and closing of the first mold stack 106A. The closing ofthe first mold stack 106A involves rearranging the first mold shoe 130into the extended position E with extension of the first core retainer132, along the mold stroke axis X, through control of the ejectoractuator 922, to extend the inner core 112 that is retained thereon intothe inner core molding position and in so doing push the outer core 114into the outer core molding position by virtue of the inner core 112having reached its forward limit of travel relative to the outer core114, as defined by the bayonet 113 in cooperation with the bayonetpocket 117. In so doing, the first stack portion 110 is arranged withinthe second aperture 156B that is defined by the shuttle 154 of themolded article transfer device 150, the second aperture 154B beingpositioned in the first receiving position R. While not shown, prior tomolding of the another of the first molded article 102A, there is afurther requirement for shuttering of the in-mold shutter 140 to engagethe first mold shoe 130 to the moving platen 912 (FIG. 1).

In view of the foregoing, those persons of skill in the art wouldundoubtedly recognize alternative non-limiting embodiments of theinjection mold including one or both of the molded article transferdevice 150 and/or an in-mold shutter 140. One such example of analternative non-limiting embodiment may be appreciated with reference tothe injection mold 200 shown in FIG. 6A. The injection mold 200 isstructured similarly to the injection mold 100 of FIG. 5A, and as suchonly the differences of construction and operation thereof will bedescribed in detail in the description that follows.

The injection mold 200 includes an alternative non-limiting embodimentof a first mold half 196, and the second mold half 98 describedpreviously.

The first mold half 196 of the injection mold 200 includes the samein-mold shutter 140 and molded article transfer device 150 that weredescribed previously, between which an alternative non-limitingembodiment of a first mold shoe 230 is arranged.

The first mold shoe 230 is structured to have a first stack portion 210of a first mold stack 206A connected thereto. Much the same as the firststack portion 110 described previously, the first stack portion 210 ofthe first mold stack 206A includes an inner core 212, an outer core 214,and the stripper sleeve 116, as described previously, that cooperate, inuse, with the cavity insert 122 of the second stack portion 120 todefine the molding cavity 101. As such, the outer core 214 is slidablyarranged around the inner core 212 to accommodate, in use, relativemovement thereof along the mold-stroke axis X. Likewise, the strippersleeve 116 is slidably arranged around the outer core 214 toaccommodate, in use, the relative movement thereof along the mold-strokeaxis X.

Much like the first mold shoe 130 described previously, the first moldshoe 230 includes a first core retainer 232 and a stripper retainer 236that are slidably connected together to accommodate the relativemovement thereof, in use, along the mold-stroke axis X, wherein theinner core 212 is connected to the first core retainer 232, and thestripper sleeve 116 is connected to the stripper retainer 236. Thestripper sleeve 116 is fixedly arranged in a passageway 237 that isdefined in the stripper retainer 236. More particularly, the stripperretainer 236 includes a base plate 234 and the top plate 135, asdescribed previously, that are fastened together, in use, with thepassageway 237 being defined therethrough, wherein the flange portion123 of the stripper sleeve 116 is retained between the base plate 234and the top plate 135. The outer core 214 is slidably arranged withinthe passageway 237 to accommodate relative movement between the outercore 214 and the stripper sleeve 116, in use, along the mold-stroke axisX, with the movement of the outer core 214, from an outer core moldingposition (FIG. 6A) to a stripping position (FIG. 6E).

The first mold shoe 230 further includes a second core retainer 233. Thesecond core retainer 233 is slidably connected between the first coreretainer 232 and the stripper retainer 236 to accommodate the relativemovement thereto, in use, along the mold-stroke axis X. The outer core214 is connected to the second core retainer 233 for movement therewith.

With reference to FIG. 6B, the first mold shoe 230 also includes thestripper actuator 153, as described previously, except that in thisnon-limiting embodiment it serves to connect the stripper retainer 236with the second core retainer 233, the stripper actuator 153 beingoperable, in use, to drive the relative movement thereof along themold-stroke axis X. Furthermore, the first mold shoe 230 includes a coreactuator 255 that connects the first core retainer 232 and the secondcore retainer 233, the core actuator 255 being operable, in use, todrive the relative movement thereof along the mold-stroke axis X.Lastly, the second core retainer 233 is shown to be connected, in use,with the ejector actuator 922 of the mold clamping assembly 996 (FIG. 1)for movement thereof, in use, along the mold-stroke axis X.

The start-up and production molding processes for the injection mold 200are similar to those described previously. That being said, theproduction molding process for the injection mold 200 will be furtherdescribed owing to the differences in execution of the various actuatorsthat are connected to the first mold shoe 230.

The production molding process begins, as shown in FIG. 6A, with theinjection mold 200 being positioned in the mold closed configuration Cwith the first mold shoe 230 being positioned, along the mold-strokeaxis X, in an extended position E such that the first mold stack 206A isclosed to define the molding cavity 101 therein. In so doing, the firstmold stack 206A is arranged within the first aperture 156A that isdefined by the shuttle 154 of the molded article transfer device 150,the first aperture 154A being positioned in the first receiving positionR. Furthermore, the shutter member 144 of the in-mold shutter 140 is inthe shut position S, whereby the first mold shoe 230 is engaged with themoving platen 912 (FIG. 1). Accordingly, the injection mold 200 isconfigured for molding of the first molded article 102A (not shown).Thereafter, molding of the first molded article 102A (not shown) isperformed with injection of molding material into the molding cavity101.

The production molding process next includes, as shown with reference toFIG. 6B, and as described previously, the un-shuttering of the in-moldshutter 140 to disengaged the first mold shoe 130 from the moving platen912 (FIG. 1).

The production molding process next includes, as shown with reference toFIG. 6C, opening of the first mold stack 206A with retracting the firststack portion 210, along the mold-stroke axis X, to position the firstmolded article 102A that is arranged thereon in the first aperture 156A.This involves retracting the stripper retainer 236, the second coreretainer 233, and the first core retainer 232, in tandem, along themold-stroke axis X, and thus the retracting of the inner core 112, theouter core 114, and the stripper sleeve 116 that are retained thereto,respectively. The foregoing movements are provided through control ofthe ejector actuator 922 for retracting of the second core retainer 233,wherein the first core retainer 232 and the stripper retainer 236follow, in tandem, by virtue of further control of the core actuator 255to hold the first core retainer 232 in contact with a bottom face of thesecond core retainer 233, and likewise, control of the stripper actuator153 to keep the stripper retainer 236 in contact with a top face of thesecond core retainer 233.

The production molding process next includes, as shown with reference toFIG. 6D, a first stage of arranging the first stack portion 210 to ejectthe first molded article 102A into the first aperture 156A of theshuttle 154, and more particularly the stripping of the seal portion 103of the first molded article 102A from where it was molded in between theinner core 212 and the outer core 214 with relative movement thereof. Todo so, involves holding the position of the stripper retainer 236, tokeep the stripper sleeve 116 that is fixed thereto immobile, whereby thefirst molded article 102A is held in the first aperture 156A, whilefurther holding of the position of the second core retainer 233, to keepthe outer core 114 that is fixed thereto immobile, and then retractingthe first core retainer 232 relative thereto, and in effect retract theinner core 112 that is retained thereon relative to the outer core 114,along the mold stroke axis X, a distance that is sufficient to strip theseal portion 103. To do so, the position of the second core retainer 233is held through control of the ejector actuator 922, while the positionof the stripper retainer 236 is held through control of the stripperactuator 153 to keep the stripper retainer 236 in contact with the topface of the second core retainer 233. The movement of the first coreretainer 132 is provided through control of the core actuator 255 toretract the first core retainer 232 relative to the second core retainer233.

The production molding process next includes, as shown with reference toFIG. 6E, a final stage of arranging the first stack portion 210 to ejectthe first molded article 102A into the first aperture 156A of theshuttle 154, and furthermore retracting of the first stack portion 210from the first aperture 156A. To do so involves continuing to hold theposition of the stripper retainer 236, to keep the stripper sleeve 116that is fixed thereto immobile, whereby the first molded article 102A isheld in the first aperture 156A, and then retracting, in tandem, thefirst core retainer 232 and the second core retainer 233 relativethereto, and in effect retract the inner core 212 and the outer core 214that are retained thereon relative to the stripper sleeve 116. The firstmolded article 102A is stripped from the outer core 214 as it is held inthe first aperture 156A, through supporting contact with a top of thestripper sleeve 116, and the outer core 214 is retracted therefrom withits retraction to the stripping position. The foregoing involvescoordinated control of the stripper actuator 153 and of the ejectoractuator 922, wherein the stripper actuator 153 and the ejector actuator922 are directed to extend with equal displacement, and in the oppositedirections, while the core actuator 255 is controlled to maintain theposition of the first core retainer 232 relative to the second coreretainer 233, and in effect retract therewith.

The production molding process next includes, as shown with reference toFIG. 6F, and as described previously, shuttling of the shuttle 154 totransfer the first molded article 102A within the first aperture 156A.

The production molding process ends, as shown with reference to FIG. 6G,with the passing of the first molded article 102A along the firstchannel 160A towards the exit 164 (FIG. 3) thereof (shown only by virtueof the disappearance of the first molded article 102A from the firstchannel 160A), and closing of the first mold stack 206A. The closing ofthe first mold stack 206A involves rearranging the first mold shoe 230into the extended position E with extension of the first core retainer232, the second core retainer 233, and the stripper retainer 236, alongthe mold stroke axis X, to position the inner core 212, the outer core214, and the stripper sleeve 116 that are retained thereon into theirrespective molding positions. The foregoing movements are providedthrough control of the ejector actuator 922 for extending of the secondcore retainer 233, wherein the first core retainer 232 and the stripperretainer 236 follow, in tandem, by virtue of further control of the coreactuator 255 to bring the first core retainer 232 into contact with thebottom face of the second core retainer 233, and likewise, control ofthe stripper actuator 153 to bring the stripper retainer 236 intocontact with the top face of the second core retainer 233. In so doing,the first stack portion 210 is arranged within the second aperture 156Bthat is defined by the shuttle 154 of the molded article transfer device150, the second aperture 154B being positioned in the first receivingposition R. While not shown, prior to molding of the another of thefirst molded article 102A, there is a further requirement for shutteringof the in-mold shutter 140 to engage the first mold shoe 230 to themoving platen 912 (FIG. 1).

Another alternative non-limiting embodiment may be appreciated withreference to the injection mold 200 without the in-mold shutter 140 asshown in FIG. 7A. That is, the injection mold 200 is the same as thatpreviously described except for removal of the in-mold shutter 140, andas such the first mold shoe 130 thereof is structured for directmounting to the moving platen 912 (FIG. 1).

The start-up and production molding processes for the reconfiguredinjection mold 200 are similar to that described previously. That beingsaid, the production molding process for the injection mold 200 will befurther described for sake of differences in execution of the variousactuators that are connected to the first mold shoe 230, and moreparticularly owing to the further involvement of the platen-movingactuator 915.

The production molding process begins, as shown in FIG. 7A, with thereconfigured injection mold 200 being positioned in the mold closedconfiguration C with the first mold stack 206A closed to define themolding cavity 101 therein. In so doing, the first mold stack 206A isarranged within the first aperture 156A that is defined by the shuttle154 of the molded article transfer device 150, the first aperture 154Abeing positioned in the first receiving position R. Accordingly, thereconfigured injection mold 200 is configured for molding of the firstmolded article 102A (not shown). Thereafter, molding of the first moldedarticle 102A (not shown) is performed with injection of molding materialinto the molding cavity 101.

The production molding process next includes, as shown with reference toFIG. 7B, opening of the first mold stack 206A with positioning of thefirst mold half 196 and the second mold half 98, along the mold-strokeaxis X, into the mold open configuration O, and holding the position ofthe molded article transfer device 150 in relation to the second moldhalf 98, wherein the first molded article 102A that is arranged on thefirst stack portion 210 is positioned in the first aperture 156A. Thepositioning of the first mold half 196 and the second mold half 98involves un-shuttering of the clamp shutter 920 (FIG. 1) and positioningof the moving platen 912 (FIG. 1) away from the stationary platen 914(FIG. 1) through control of the platen-moving actuator 915 (FIG. 1).Furthermore, the opening involves control of the ejector actuator 922and the core actuator 255 to fix the positions of the first coreretainer 232, the second core retainer 233, and the stripper retainer236 relative to the moving platen 912 for movement therewith. Theholding the position of the molded article transfer device 150 inrelation to the second mold half 98 involves coordinated control of thestripper actuator 153 and the platen-moving actuator 915, wherein thestripper actuator 153 is directed to extend with equal displacement andin the opposite direction to the platen-moving actuator 915 with thepositioning of the first mold half 196 and the second mold half 98 intothe mold open configuration O.

The production molding process next includes, as shown with reference toFIG. 7C, a first stage of arranging the first stack portion 210 to ejectthe first molded article 102A into the first aperture 156A of theshuttle 154, and more particularly the stripping of the seal portion 103of the first molded article 102A from where it was molded in between theinner core 212 and the outer core 214 with relative movement thereof. Todo so, involves holding the position of the stripper retainer 236, tokeep the stripper sleeve 116 that is fixed thereto immobile, whereby thefirst molded article 102A is held in the first aperture 156A, whilefurther holding of the position of the second core retainer 233, to keepthe outer core 114 that is fixed thereto immobile, and then retractingthe first core retainer 232 relative thereto, and in effect retract theinner core 112 that is retained thereon relative to the outer core 114,along the mold stroke axis X, a distance that is sufficient to strip theseal portion 103. The foregoing involves coordinated control of the coreactuator 255, the ejector actuator 922, and the platen-moving actuator915, wherein the core actuator 255 and the ejector actuator 922 aredirected to extend with equal displacement, and in the oppositedirection, to the platen-moving actuator 915 while the stripper actuator153 is controlled to maintain the position of the molded articletransfer device 150 relative to the second mold half 98.

The production molding process next includes, as shown with reference toFIG. 7D, a final stage of arranging the first stack portion 210 to ejectthe first molded article 102A into the first aperture 156A of theshuttle 154, and furthermore retracting of the first stack portion 210from the first aperture 156A. To do so involves continuing to hold theposition of the stripper retainer 236, to keep the stripper sleeve 116that is fixed thereto immobile, whereby the first molded article 102A isheld in the first aperture 156A, and then retracting, in tandem, thefirst core retainer 232 and the second core retainer 233 relativethereto, and in effect retract the inner core 212 and the outer core 214that are retained thereon relative to the stripper sleeve 116. The firstmolded article 102A is stripped from the outer core 214 as it is held inthe first aperture 156A, through supporting contact with a top of thestripper sleeve 116, and the outer core 214 is retracted therefrom withits retraction to the stripping position. The foregoing involvescoordinated control of the ejector actuator 922 and the platen-movingactuator 915, wherein the ejector actuator 922 is directed to extendwith equal displacement, and in the opposite direction, to theplaten-moving actuator 915 while the stripper actuator 153 is controlledto maintain the position of the molded article transfer device 150relative to the second mold half 98 and the core actuator 255 iscontrolled to maintain the position of the second core retainer 233relative to the first core retainer 232.

The production molding process next includes, as shown with reference toFIG. 7E, and as described previously, shuttling of the shuttle 154 totransfer the first molded article 102A within the first aperture 156A.

The production molding process ends, as shown with reference to FIG. 7F,with the passing of the first molded article 102A along the firstchannel 160A towards the exit 164 (FIG. 3) thereof (shown only by virtueof the disappearance of the first molded article 102A from the firstchannel 160A), and the closing of the first mold stack 206A. The closingof the first mold stack 206A involves closing of the first mold shoe 230and positioning of the first mold half 196 and the second mold half 98,along the mold-stroke axis X, into the mold closed configuration C. Inso doing, the first mold stack 206A is arranged within the secondaperture 156B that is defined by the shuttle 154 of the molded articletransfer device 150, the second aperture 154B being positioned in thefirst receiving position R. The closing of the first mold shoe 230involves the coordinated control of the stripper actuator 153, theejector actuator 922 (FIG. 1) and the core actuator 255 to retract,along the mold-stroke axis X, the molded article transfer device 150into contact with the stripper retainer 236, the stripper retainer 236into contact with the second core retainer 233, and the second coreretainer 233 into contact with the first core retainer 232. Thepositioning of the first mold half 196 and the second mold half 98involves positioning of the moving platen 912 (FIG. 1) towards thestationary platen 914 (FIG. 1) through control of the platen-movingactuator 915 (FIG. 1) and shuttering of the clamp shutter 920 (FIG. 1).While not shown, prior to molding of the another of the first moldedarticle 102A, there is a further requirement for shuttering of thein-mold shutter 140 to engage the first mold shoe 230 to the movingplaten 912 (FIG. 1).

Yet another alternative non-limiting embodiment may be appreciated withreference to the injection mold 300 shown in FIG. 8A. The injection mold300 is structured similarly to the injection mold 100 of FIG. 5A, and assuch only the differences of construction and operation thereof will bedescribed in detail in the description that follows.

The injection mold 300 includes an alternative non-limiting embodimentof a first mold half 296, and the second mold half 98 describedpreviously.

The first mold half 296 of the injection mold 300 includes the samein-mold shutter 140 that was described previously, an alternativenon-limiting embodiment of a molded article transfer device 250, betweenwhich another alternative non-limiting embodiment of a first mold shoe330 is arranged.

The first mold shoe 330 is structured to have a first stack portion 310of a first mold stack 306A connected thereto. Much the same as the firststack portion 110 described previously, the first stack portion 310 ofthe first mold stack 306A includes an inner core 312, an outer core 314,and a stripper sleeve 316, that cooperate, in use, with the cavityinsert 122 of the second stack portion 120 to define the molding cavity101. As such, the outer core 314 is slidably arranged around the innercore 312 to accommodate, in use, relative movement thereof along themold-stroke axis X. Likewise, the stripper sleeve 316 is slidablyarranged around the outer core 314 to accommodate, in use, the relativemovement thereof along the mold-stroke axis X.

Much like the first mold shoe 130 described previously, the first moldshoe 330 includes a first core retainer 332 and a stripper retainer 336that are slidably connected together to accommodate the relativemovement thereof, in use, along the mold-stroke axis X, wherein theinner core 212 is connected to the first core retainer 232, and thestripper sleeve 316 is arranged within the stripper retainer 336.

The inner core 312 and the outer core 314 are slidably retained togetherin the same manner as the inner core 112 and the outer core 114 thatwere described previously, and as such, are kept rotatably engagedwithin the first mold shoe 330 by the key 119 that is associated withthe stripper retainer 336.

In contrast to the injection mold 100, wherein the stripper sleeve 116is fixedly retained to the stripper retainer 136 for movement therewith,the stripper sleeve 316 of the injection mold 300 is slidably arrangedwithin a passageway 337 that is defined in the stripper retainer 336 andas such is movable relative thereto to accommodate, in use, movementthereof, along the mold-stroke axis X, from the stripper sleeve moldingposition (FIG. 8A) to the ejection position (FIG. 8C). Furthermore, thestripper sleeve 216 defines a piston portion 218 that is slidablyreceived in a piston cylinder 272 that is defined in a base plate 270 ofthe molded article transfer device 250. The base plate 270 furtherdefines a channel 274 therein with which to connect, in use, the pistoncylinder 272 with a source or sink of a working fluid (e.g. air,hydraulic fluid, etc.).

In further contrast to the injection mold 100, the stripper retainer 236of the injection mold 300 is connected to a bottom face of the baseplate 270, wherein a top face 235 of the stripper retainer 236 isarranged to retain, in use, the piston portion 218 of the strippersleeve 316 in the piston cylinder 272 and to otherwise provide a rearlimit of travel for the stripper sleeve 316 that corresponds with anejection position thereof.

In operation, the stripper sleeve 316 is biased to move from thestripper sleeve molding position towards the ejection position, alongthe mold-stroke axis X, with connection of the channel 274 to the sourceof the working fluid and thus is able to retract with the outer core314. The stripper sleeve 316 is otherwise pushed back to the strippersleeve molding position, along the mold-stroke axis X, by the outer core314, wherein a shoulder 315 that is defined on the outer core 314engages a bottom face of the piston portion 218.

The structure and operation of the molded article transfer device 250 isotherwise the same as the molded article transfer device 150 that wasdescribed previously.

The production molding process for the injection mold 300 will bediscussed next.

The production molding process begins, as shown in FIG. 8A, with theinjection mold 300 being positioned in the mold closed configuration Cwith the first mold shoe 330 being positioned, along the mold-strokeaxis X, in an extended position E such that the first mold stack 306A isclosed to define the molding cavity 101 therein. In so doing, the firstmold stack 306A is arranged within the first aperture 156A that isdefined by the shuttle 154 of the molded article transfer device 250,the first aperture 154A being positioned in the first receiving positionR. Furthermore, the shutter member 144 of the in-mold shutter 140 is inthe shut position S, whereby the first mold shoe 330 is engaged with themoving platen 912 (FIG. 1). Accordingly, the injection mold 300 isconfigured for molding of the first molded article 102A. Thereafter,molding of the first molded article 102A (not shown) is performed withinjection of molding material into the molding cavity 101.

The production molding process next includes, as shown with reference toFIG. 8B, and as described previously, the un-shuttering of the in-moldshutter 140 to disengaged the first mold shoe 330 from the moving platen912 (FIG. 1).

The production molding process next includes, as shown with reference toFIG. 8C, opening of the first mold stack 306A with retracting the firststack portion 310, along the mold-stroke axis X, to position the firstmolded article 102A that is arranged thereon in the first aperture 156A.This involves retracting the first core retainer 332, along themold-stroke axis X, whereby the inner core 112 that is connected theretois retracted, along with the outer core 314 that is arranged thereon,and furthermore connecting the channel 274 to the source of workingfluid to bias the stripper sleeve 316 to retract with the outer core314. The retracting of the first core retainer 332 is provided throughcontrol of the ejector actuator 922.

The production molding process next includes, as shown with reference toFIG. 8D, a first stage of arranging the first stack portion 310 to ejectthe first molded article 102A into the first aperture 156A of theshuttle 154, and more particularly the stripping of the seal portion 103of the first molded article 102A from where it was molded in between theinner core 312 and the outer core 314 with relative movement thereof.The foregoing operation is made simple, relative to the foregoingnon-limiting embodiments, in that it requires only retracting of thefirst core retainer 132, through control of the ejector actuator 922, toretract the inner core 112 that is retained thereon, along the moldstroke axis X, a distance, relative to the outer core 114 which is keptimmobile by virtue of being arranged within the first molded article102A, that is sufficient to strip the seal portion 103.

The production molding process next includes, as shown with reference toFIG. 8E, a final stage of arranging the first stack portion 310 to ejectthe first molded article 102A into the first aperture 156A of theshuttle 154, and furthermore retracting of the first stack portion 110from the first aperture 156A. The foregoing involves retracting thefirst core retainer 332, along the mold stroke axis X, into theretracted position B, through control of the ejector actuator 922, toretract the inner core 112 that is retained thereon a distance that issufficient to further move the outer core 314 into stripping position byvirtue of the inner core 312 having reached its rearward limit of travelrelative to the outer core 314. The first molded article 102A isstripped from the outer core 314 as it is held in the first aperture156A, through supporting contact with a top of the stripper sleeve 116,and the outer core 314 is retracted therefrom with its retraction to thestripping position.

The production molding process next includes, as shown with reference toFIG. 8F, and as described previously, shuttling of the shuttle 154 totransfer the first molded article 102A within the first aperture 156A.

The production molding process ends, as shown with reference to FIG. 8G,with the passing of the first molded article 102A along the firstchannel 160A towards the exit 164 (FIG. 3) thereof (shown only by virtueof the disappearance of the first molded article 102A from the firstchannel 160A), and closing of the first mold stack 306A. The closing ofthe first mold stack 306A involves connecting the channel 274 to thesink of the working fluid and rearranging the first mold shoe 330 intothe extended position E with extension of the first core retainer 332,along the mold stroke axis X, through control of the ejector actuator922, to extend the inner core 312 that is retained thereon into theinner core molding position and in so doing push the outer core 314 intothe outer core molding position by virtue of the inner core 312 havingreached its forward limit of travel relative to the outer core 114. Inso doing, the first stack portion 310 is arranged within the secondaperture 156B that is defined by the shuttle 154 of the molded articletransfer device 150, the second aperture 154B being positioned in thefirst receiving position R. While not shown, prior to molding of theanother of the first molded article 102A, there is a further requirementfor shuttering of the in-mold shutter 140 to engage the first mold shoe330 to the moving platen 912 (FIG. 1).

Thus, having described the structure and operation of severalnon-limiting embodiments of the injection mold 100, 200, 300, having oneor both of the molded article transfer device 150, 250, and the in-moldshutter 140, those persons of skill in the art would undoubtedlyrecognize further alternative non-limiting embodiments thereof. And,whereas the production molding processes involving the foregoing havebeen conveyed in quite specific terms, no such limit on the generalityand applicability thereof is intended. As such, a molding process 600involving the molded article transfer device 150, 250 and anothermolding process 700 involving the in-mold shutter 140 will be presentednext. These molding processes may be practiced separately or, asdemonstrated previously, in concert with one another.

A flow chart outlining the steps of the molding process 600 is shownwith reference to FIG. 9. The molding process 600 begins with a closing602 of the first mold stack 106A, 206A, 306A of the injection mold 100,200, 300 to define the molding cavity 101 therein, wherein the firstmold stack 106A, 206A, 306A is arranged within the first aperture 156Athat is defined by the shuttle 154 of the molded article transfer device150, 250. Next, the molding process 600 involves molding 604 of thefirst molded article 102A within the molding cavity 101. Next, themolding process 600 involves opening 606 of the first mold stack 106A,206A, 306A to retract it from the first aperture 156A. Next, the moldingprocess 600 involves arranging 608 the first mold stack 106A, 206A, 306Ato eject the first molded article 102A into the first aperture 156A ofthe shuttle 154. The molding process 600 ends with shuttling 610 of theshuttle 154 to transfer the first molded article 102A within the firstaperture 156A.

A flow chart outlining the steps of the molding process 700 is shownwith reference to FIG. 10. The molding process 700 begins with closing702 of the first mold stack 106A, 206A, 306A of the injection mold 100,200, 300 to define the molding cavity 101 therein. Next, the moldingprocess 700 involves shuttering 704 of the in-mold shutter 140 to engagethe first mold shoe 130, 230, 330 of the injection mold 100, 200, 300with one of the moving platen 912 and the stationary platen 914 of aninjection molding system 900. Next, the molding process 700 involvesmolding 706 the first molded article 102A within the molding cavity 101.Next, the molding process 700 involves un-shuttering 708 the in-moldshutter 140 to disengage the first mold shoe 130, 230, 330 from the oneof the moving platen 912 and the stationary platen 914. The moldingprocess 700 ends with selectively positioning 710 the first mold shoe130, 230, 330, along the mold-stroke axis X, whereby the first stackportion 110, 210, 310 and a second stack portion 120 of the first moldstack 106A are repositioned relative to each other substantially withoutrelative movement between the moving platen 912 and the stationaryplaten 914 (i.e. although movement is not precluded).

The foregoing steps of the molding processes 600, 700 are executable, inpractice, on a controller 501, as shown with reference to FIG. 3, suchas the one that is typically associated with the injection moldingsystem 900 (FIG. 1). The controller 501 is shown to be connected to theshuttle actuator 168 for the control thereof. Likewise, some or all ofthe remaining actuators that are associated with the injection mold 100,200, 300, as discussed previously, would be similarly connected thereto.The steps of the molding processes 600, 700 are embodied in instructions512 that are retained in a controller-usable memory 510 of thecontroller 501, the instructions 512 directing the controller 501 toexecute the molding process 600, 700.

FIGS. 11A and 11B depict an alternative non-limiting embodiment of anin-mold shutter 240 for selectively engaging, in use, a first mold shoe130 (only the first core retainer 132 of which is shown) with a platen(not shown) of the mold clamping assembly (not shown).

The in-mold shutter 240 includes a shutter member 244 that is slidablycoupled, for example, to a support base (not shown), in the mannerdescribed previously with reference to the description of the in-moldshutter 140, or directly to the platen (not shown), and a link member246. The link member 246 pivotally connects the first core retainer 132(or other such member of the first mold shoe) with the shutter member244. In this way, the first core retainer 132 of the first mold shoe isrendered movable, in use, along the mold-stroke axis X, between theextended position E (FIG. 11A) and a retracted position B (FIG. 11B),with movement of the shutter member 244, by the shutter actuator (notshown), between a shut position S (FIG. 11A) and an open position U(FIG. 11B), respectively.

In operation, with the first mold shoe 130 having been positioned intothe extended position E (FIG. 11A), the link member 246 is oriented toengage the first core retainer 132 of the first mold shoe with theplaten (not shown) in a manner that holds the first mold shoe 130 in theextended position E during molding of the first molded article 102A (notshown). Where the form of the link member 246 is a simple elongate bodyit is best able to support (i.e. link an applied mold clamping forcebetween the first mold shoe and the platen) when oriented substantiallyparallel to the mold-stroke axis X.

FIGS. 12A and 12B depict another alternative non-limiting embodiment ofan in-mold shutter 340 for selectively engaging, in use, a first moldshoe 130 (only the first core retainer 132 of which is shown) with aplaten (not shown) of the mold clamping assembly (not shown).

The in-mold shutter 340 includes a shutter member 344 that is slidablycoupled, for example, to a support base (not shown), in the mannerdescribed previously with reference to the description of the in-moldshutter 140, or directly to the platen (not shown), and a link member346. The link member 346 includes two parts, namely a first wedge 347and a second wedge 349, wherein the first wedge 347 is associated with ashutter member 344 and the second wedge 349 is associated with the firstcore retainer 132 of the first mold shoe 130.

The first wedge 347 and the second wedge 349 are configured to define awedging interface 351 therebetween (across complementary angled facesthereof) that is operable to translate movement of the shutter member344, by the shutter actuator (not shown), between a shut position S(FIG. 11A) and an open position U (FIG. 11B), into movement of the firstcore retainer 132 of the first mold shoe along the mold-stroke axis X.

In operation, with the shutter member 344 positioned in the shutposition S, as depicted with reference to FIG. 12A, the first wedge 347and the second wedge 349 of the link member 346 are cooperable to engagethe first mold shoe 130 with the platen in a manner that holds the firstmold shoe 130 in the extended position E during molding of the firstmolded article 102A (not shown). Conversely, with the shutter member 344positioned in the open position U, as depicted with reference to FIG.12B, the first wedge 347 and the second wedge 349 are spaced apart,thereby disengaging the wedging interface 351 therebetween, whereby thefirst core retainer 132 of the first mold shoe may be moved along themold stroke axis X between the extended position E (FIG. 12A) and aretracted position B (FIG. 12B).

FIGS. 13A and 13B depict a further alternative non-limiting embodimentof an in-mold shutter 440 for selectively engaging, in use, a first moldshoe 430 (only the first core retainer 432 of which is shown) with aplaten (not shown) of the mold clamping assembly (not shown).

The in-mold shutter 440 includes a shutter member 444 that is slidablycoupled, for example, to a support base (not shown), in the mannerdescribed previously with reference to the description of the in-moldshutter 140, or directly to the platen (not shown), and a link member446. The link member 446 includes two parts, namely a first key 447 anda second key 449, wherein the first key 447 is associated with a shuttermember 444 and the second key 449 is associated with the first coreretainer 132 of the first mold shoe 130. The in-mold shutter 440 alsoincludes a pair of keyways, namely a first keyway 455 that is defined inthe first core retainer 132 of the first mold shoe 130 and a secondkeyway 453 that is defined in the shutter member 444. The keys andkeyways are positioned on their respective supporting structures whereinwith the shutter member 444 positioned in an open position U (FIG. 13B),the first key 447 is recessable within the first keyway 455 and likewisethe second key 449 is recessable within the second keyway 453, wherebythe first mold shoe 130 is movable along the mold-stroke axis X.

In operation, with the shutter member 444 positioned in a shut positionS, by means of the shutter actuator (not shown), the first key 447 andthe second key 449 of the link member 446 are cooperable, across asupporting interface 451 that is defined therebetween, to engage thefirst mold shoe 130 with the platen in a manner that holds the firstmold shoe 130 in the extended position E during molding of the firstmolded article 102A (not shown). Conversely, with the shutter member 444positioned in the open position U (FIG. 13B), by means of the shutteractuator, the first key 447 is recessable within the first keyway 455and likewise the second key 449 is recessable within the second keyway453, whereby the first mold shoe 130 is movable along the mold-strokeaxis X between the extended position E (FIG. 13A) and a retractedposition B (FIG. 13B).

It may be furthermore noted that the shutter member 444 may furtherinclude, as shown, an array of first keys, included in which is thefirst key 447, and an array of second keyways, included in which is thesecond keyway 453, and likewise the first mold shoe 130 includes anarray of second keys, included in which is the second key 449, and anarray of first keyways, included in which is the first keyway 455. Thus,with the first mold shoe 130 positioned in the extended position E andthe shutter member 444 positioned in the shut position S, the array offirst keys and the array of second keys are cooperable to engage thefirst mold shoe 130 with the platen in a manner that holds the firstmold shoe 130 in the extended position E during molding of the firstmolded article 102A (not shown). Likewise, with the shutter member 444positioned in an open position U, the array of first keys are recessablewithin the array of first keyways and the array of second keys arerecessable within the array of second keyways, whereby the first moldshoe 130 is movable along the mold-stroke axis X.

Lastly, with reference to FIG. 14 there is depicted yet a furtheralternative non-limiting embodiment of an in-mold shutter 540 forselectively engaging, in use, a first mold shoe 130 (only the first coreretainer 132 of which is shown) with a platen (not shown) of the moldclamping assembly (not shown).

The in-mold shutter 540 includes a shutter actuator 548 that isconfigured to selectively engage the first core retainer 132 of thefirst mold shoe 130 with the platen (not shown) to hold the first moldshoe 130 in an extended position E, along a mold-stroke axis X, during astep of molding a first molded article 102A (not shown). The actuator548 may be configured, as shown, as any manner of linear actuator, suchas, for example, a piston actuator, wherein a shutter member 544 definesa piston bore 559 within which to receive a piston 557, and that a linkmember 546 (i.e. rod) further connects the piston 557 with the firstcore retainer 132.

In operation, with the first mold shoe 130 positioned in the extendedposition E, as shown, the shutter actuator 548 is operable to extend thelink member 546 to engage the first mold shoe 130 with the platen (notshown) in a manner that holds the first mold shoe 130 in the extendedposition E during molding of the first molded article 102A (not shown).Conversely, the shutter actuator 548 is further operable to retract thelink member 546 to effectively disengage (i.e. no longer provides a loadpath) the first mold shoe 130 from the platen (not shown).

It is noted that the foregoing has outlined some of the more pertinentnon-limiting embodiments. These non-limiting embodiments may be used formany applications. Thus, although the description is made for particulararrangements and methods, the intent and concept of these non-limitingembodiments may be suitable and applicable to other arrangements andapplications. It will be clear to those skilled in the art thatmodifications to the disclosed non-limiting embodiments can be effected.The described non-limiting embodiments ought to be construed to bemerely illustrative of some of the more prominent features andapplications thereof. Other beneficial results can be realized byapplying these non-limiting embodiments in a different manner ormodifying them in ways known to those familiar with the art. Thisincludes the mixing and matching of features, elements and/or functionsbetween various non-limiting embodiments is expressly contemplatedherein, unless described otherwise, above.

What is claimed is:
 1. A molded article transfer device for transferringa first molded article from an injection mold, comprising: a shuttleincluding a first aperture for alternately receiving a first mold stacktherein during molding of the first molded article and the first moldedarticle.
 2. The molded article transfer device of claim 1 for use withthe injection mold, wherein: the shuttle is slidably arranged, in use,within the injection mold; the shuttle defining the first aperture, atleast in part, that alternately accommodates: (i) the first mold stackarranged therein during molding of the first molded article; and (ii)the first molded article received therein with opening of the first moldstack to retract the first mold stack from the first aperture; the firstmolded article being transferable, in use, within the first aperturewith shuttling movement of the shuttle.
 3. The molded article transferdevice of claim 2, wherein: the shuttle is slidably arranged toaccommodate the shuttling movement thereof with a first mold half and asecond mold half of the injection mold being positioned in a mold closedconfiguration.
 4. The molded article transfer device of claim 2,wherein: the shuttle is slidably arranged between a first mold shoe of afirst mold half and a second mold shoe of a second mold half of theinjection mold to accommodate the shuttling movement therebetween, inuse, along a shuttling axis that is generally perpendicular to amold-stroke axis; the first aperture is configured to accommodate, whenpositioned in a first receiving position, a first stack portion of thefirst mold stack being retractably arranged therein during molding, inuse, of the first molded article within a molding cavity that is definedin the first mold stack; and the first aperture is further configured toreceive, when positioned in the first receiving position, the firstmolded article therein with retraction of the first stack portion fromthe first aperture and with ejection thereof from the first stackportion; the first molded article being transferred, in use, within thefirst aperture, with the shuttling movement of the shuttle from thefirst receiving position to a first transfer position.
 5. The moldedarticle transfer device of claim 4, further comprising: a firstbarricade that is associated, in use, with one of the first mold halfand the second mold half; the first barricade is configured to cooperatewith the shuttle to further define the first aperture when positioned inthe first receiving position.
 6. The molded article transfer device ofclaim 5, wherein: the shuttle defines a first channel; the first channeland the first barricade are configured to cooperate, in use, to definethe first aperture with the first barricade being positioned within thefirst channel, with positioning, in use, of the first channel into thefirst receiving position, by the shuttling movement of the shuttle,wherein the first channel is positioned to accommodate the first stackportion being retractably arranged therein during molding of the firstmolded article; the first channel is further configured to accommodatethe first molded article passing therealong, towards an exit thereof,with positioning, in use, of the first channel into the first transferposition, by the shuttling movement of the shuttle, wherein the firstchannel is positioned beside the first stack portion and the firstbarricade.
 7. The molded article transfer device of claim 6, wherein:the shuttle further defines a second channel that is adjacent to, andgenerally parallel with, the first channel, wherein with one of thefirst channel and the second channel being positioned in the firstreceiving position a remaining one of the first channel and the secondchannel is positioned in the first transfer position; the second channeland the first barricade are configured to cooperate, in use, to define asecond aperture with the first barricade being positioned within thesecond channel, with positioning, in use, of the second channel into thefirst receiving position, by the shuttling movement of the shuttle,wherein the second channel is positioned to accommodate the first stackportion being retractably arranged therein during molding of another ofthe first molded article; the second channel is further configured toaccommodate the another of the first molded article passing therealong,towards the exit thereof, with positioning, in use, of the secondchannel into the first transfer position, by the shuttling movement ofthe shuttle, wherein the second channel is positioned beside the firststack portion and the first barricade.
 8. The molded article transferdevice of claim 7, wherein: the first channel and the second channel aredefined between cooperating pairs of guide bars that are associated withthe shuttle; the pairs of guide bars define gaps therein through whichthe first barricade is slid, in use, with relative movement of theshuttle with respect to the first barricade.
 9. The molded articletransfer device of claim 7, wherein: the molded article transfer devicecooperates, in use, with the injection mold that is configured tosimultaneously mold a plurality of molded articles using a first columnof mold stacks that includes the first mold stack with which to mold thefirst molded article and a second mold stack with which to mold a secondmolded article; the molded article transfer device further comprises asecond barricade that is associated, in use, with one of the first moldhalf and the second mold half; the first channel and the secondbarricade are configured to cooperate, in use, to define a thirdaperture with the second barricade being positioned within the firstchannel, with positioning, in use, of the first channel into the firstreceiving position, by the shuttling movement of the shuttle, whereinthe first channel is positioned to accommodate the first stack portionof the second mold stack being retractably arranged therein duringmolding of the second molded article; the first channel is furtherconfigured to accommodate the second molded article passing therealong,towards the exit thereof, with positioning, in use, of the first channelinto the first transfer position, by the shuttling movement of theshuttle, wherein the first channel is positioned beside the first columnof mold stacks and the first barricade and the second barricade; thesecond channel and the second barricade are configured to cooperate, inuse, to define a fourth aperture with the second barricade beingpositioned within the second channel, with positioning, in use, of thesecond channel into the first receiving position, by the shuttlingmovement of the shuttle, wherein the second channel is positioned toaccommodate the first stack portion of the second mold stack beingretractably arranged therein during molding of another of the secondmolded article; the second channel is further configured to accommodatethe another of the second molded article passing therealong, towards theexit thereof, with positioning, in use, of the second channel into thefirst transfer position, by the shuttling movement of the shuttle,wherein the second channel is positioned beside the first column of moldstacks and the first barricade and the second barricade.
 10. The moldedarticle transfer device of claim 6, further comprising: a base plateupon which the shuttle is slidably connected for the shuttling movementthereof, in use, along the shuttling axis.
 11. The molded articletransfer device of claim 10, wherein: the base plate defines a pistoncylinder and a channel with which to connect, in use, the pistoncylinder with a source or sink of a working fluid; the first stackportion of the first mold stack includes a stripper sleeve which toeject, in use, the first molded article therefrom, and wherein thestripper sleeve includes a piston portion that is slidably received, inuse, in the piston cylinder of the base plate.
 12. The molded articletransfer device of claim 10, wherein: the shuttle includes a pluralityof interconnected shuttle modules that cooperate to define the firstchannel.
 13. The molded article transfer device of claim 12, wherein:the plurality of interconnected shuttle modules are connected to abearing block that is slid, in use, upon a linear race that is mountedto the base plate.